High or low water alarm.



Patented July 23, I90I.

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C. E. ZIMMERMANN. HIGH 0B LOW WATER ALARM.

(Application filed Aug. 1, 1900.) (No Model.)

l\|J /v/Z. ,l Y J l m No. 678,925. Patented July 23, IQOI.

C. E. ZIMMERMANN.

HIGH 0R LOW WATER ALARM.

(Application 1 ed Ajxg'. 1, 1900,)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet '2.

ATTORNEY TME Nonrus niks co. PHOTO-LITRO., wnmurau. uA c.

UNrTngD STATES PATENT rrrcn.

CHARLES E. ZIMMERMANN, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

HIGH OR LOW WATER ALARM.

SPEGlFlCATION forming' part 0f LetterS Patent N0. 678,925, dated July 23, 1901. Application led August 1, 1900l Serial No. 25,510. (No model.)

T0 LZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. ZIMMER- MANN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in High or Low Water Alarms, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to the class of high and low water alarms in which an electric signal is employed and is controlled by the usual loat disposed within a water column or chamber communicating with a boiler or tank.

The main object of the present invention is to employ electrical devices which shall operate automatically to sound an alarm and in which the circuit can be opened by hand during the sounding of said alarm, and, furthermore, to provide means for temporarily maintaining' the circuit opened, whereby the same will be again automatically closed to sound a second alarm. The purpose of said second alarm is to insure attention to the boiler of the person in charge in case he fails to act after breaking the circuit, and thus serves as a safeguard.

The invention consists of a high and low water alarm comprising, essentially, an electric circuit including a signal, a circuit-closer operating automatically to sound an alarm, means to operate the circuit-closer by hand to break the circuit, and a detent temporarily maintaining the circuit open, wherebya second alarm will be automatically sounded, as hereinafter more fully described, and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel is a front view of my improved high and low water alarm. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line X X in Fig. l. Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view of the electrical devices. Fig. 5

is a vertical transverse section on line Y Y in Fig. 4c. Fig. 6 is a horizontal transverse section on line Z Z in Fig. 4. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are enlarged detail rear face views of the disk which constitutes an electric terminal, showing the circuit making and breaking devices in their different positions.\ Fig. l0 is an enlarged detail longitudinal section of the extensible connection of the oat.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the Water-column, which communicates with the boiler or tank B by means of pipes a a in the Well-known manner and is provided with the usual blow-off cock b.

C denotes the wellknown Watergage, which is attached to the water-column by means of the usual pipes ct a.

C is the float, which is disposed within the water-column and is provided with a vertical guide-rod a2, secured at its ends in sockets a3 c3, formed in the heads or caps a4 d4 of said water-column. To the end portions of the guide-rod a2 I prefer to attach coiled springs b' b for the purpose of cushioning the fioat when it ascends or descends to the ends of the water-column, thereby relieving the various mechanisms connected to the tloat from jar and strain.

D represents a hollow arm, Which extends from and communicates with one side of the water-column and is preferably formed integral therewith, as clearly shown .in Figs. 2 and 3.

E represents the batteries of an electric circuit,y which is composed of the wires l and 2. E represents a bell, which is included in the circuit, and -3 denotes the usual and Well-known switch.

The outer end of the hollow arm D is preferably formed with an enlargement for the purpose of supporting the electrical devices and to accommodate the gearing employed, which will be shortly described. Extending transversely through the enlarged portion of the arm D is a rock-shaft CZ, which has its front end projecting outside of the arm, and to said shaft within the arm is secured a segmental gear e. Adjacent to the shaft d and parallel thereto is another rock-shaft f, extending through the arm D, to which latter shaft is secured a segmental gear g, which meshes with the rst-named gear e. The face of the gear g is somewhat narrower than that of the other gear for the purpose of grinding out the sediment which is liable to collect between the gears.

The float O and the gear g are united by an automatically-extensible connection, which is essential to allow the oat to ascend and descend and at the same time impart a uniform movement to the gears. Said connection consists, preferably, of a sleeve h2, eX- tending lengthwise through the arm D and pivoted at one end to said iioat, as indicated at h, and a rod c', sliding in said sleeve and rigidly secured at its outer end to the aforesaid gear, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and l0.

I provide suitable packing for the shafts CZ and f, as indicated at h3 and c3, respectively, to prevent leakage of the water.

On the projecting end of the rock-shaft CZ is mounted a metal disk j, which is rigidly secured thereto by means of a thumb-screw 7o, applied to a screw-threaded portion of the shaft, whereby said disk receives oscillatory motion. Said disk j constitutes one of the terminals of the electric circuit, the wire 2 being connected thereto by the thumb-screw Zt', which serves as a binding-screw. Therefore the shaft CZ is insulated from the arm D, as clearly shown in Fig. 5.

Z Z denote two contactpieces, which consist of metallic plates secured adjustably to the back of the disk j, which adjustment is provided for the purpose of setting said contactpieces a greater or less distance apart. Said adjustment is effected by means of screws m m, passing freely through ears n it, projecting from the front face of the diskj and engaging screw-threaded eyes 0 o, formed in similar ears p 19, which latter ears are rigidly secured to said contact-pieces Z Zand project through segmental slots q q, formed in the disk. To retain said contact-pieces in their adjusted positions, set-screws r r are provided. The screws m m are provided with transverse pins directly above and below the ears n n, as shown at s s, to prevent longitudinal'inovement of the screws.

On top of the enlargement of the hollow arm D is rigidly secured a plate LZ', which is insulated from Ithe arm, as shown at c', and is formed with an extension f/ at its front end, as clearly shown in Fig. e".

g' represents a metallic arm which forms the other terminal of the electric circuit and is hinged at its rearend tothe corresponding end of the plate CZ', the wire l of the circuit being connected to said arm by means of the usual binding-screw e. The front end portion of the arm g forms the cireuitcloser (indicated at j) and is disposed between the contact-pieces Z Zon the aforesaid disk j, and thus is adapted to engage either contact-piece, according to the movement of the disk, which movement is controlled by the ascent and descent of the ioat C, and the arm is provided with a handle Z2, by which to raise the circuitcloser to break the circuit,as hereinafter more fully described. Said arm g is formed with a hole Zt', through which freely passes a screw Z, which engages a screw-threaded eye m, formed in the aforesaid extension f of the plate CZ', and is provided with a nut Z3 under the arm, whereby the free end of the arm can be adj usted to set the circuit-closer j'a proper distance from the contact-pieces. ln order to allow the arm g to yield when the circuit closer engages the contact-pieces, I provide a coiled spring 7a2, which surrounds the screw Z and is disposed between the arm and head m of the screw.

n n represent two detents, which are employed for the purpose of temporarily holding the circuit-closer j out of engagement with the contact-pieces Z Z after said circuitcloser has been raised to break the circuit, and they consist of plates of insulating material,which are pivoted to the lower portions of the contact-pieces, as indicated at o o. Said detents are formed with points nnwhich project over the inclined edges n3 'n.3 of the contact-pieces and extend above the circuitcloser j', whereby they are adapted to engage said circuit-closer when the aforesaid disk j is turned, as clearly shown in Figs. il, 7, 8, and 9. To allow the detents to yield when they engage the circnit-closer, l provide springs o2 o2, which are preferablyof U shape and are attached at one end to thc inner edges of the contact-pieces ZZ and extend un der the pivoted ends of the detents and bear with their other ends on the outer edges of the same. Said springs also serve to force the detents to their normal positions when released from their engagement with the circuit-closer.

o3 o3 denote stops, which are employed for the purpose of limiting the outward movement of the detents,so as to protect the springs from breaking, and they consist7 preferably, of arms projecting from the outer edges of the contact-pieces Z Z and formed with shoul ders at their ends, which the detents engage, although any other form of stop may be used.

I also provide stops pp to limit the inward movement of the detents, which latter stops consist of pins projecting from the rear face of the contact-pieces Z Z, as shown in Figs. 7, S, and 9.

The operation of my described apparatus is as follows: When the float CLis midway between the ends of the water-column A, the circuit-closerj is between the contact-pieces Z Z and out of engagement therewith. Thus the circuit is open. ln case the water in the boiler to which the water-column is connected rises or drops from the water-line the float ascends or descends in the usual manner, whereby the gears g and e are operated by means of the sleeve b2 and sliding rod t', which connect the Vfloat and gear g, as hereinbefore described. y either movement of the iioat the said gears actuate the rock-shaft cZ,where by the disk or terminal is turned and one of its contact-pieces Z Z brought with its inclined edge against the circuitcloser j", and thus the alarm is sounded, and at the same time the point of the adjacent detcnt is made to engage the circuit-closer, as shown in Fig. 8. When the parts are in the position just described, the iloat has made a partial ascent or descent. By lifting the free end of the IOO IIO

arm or terminal g by means of the handle Z2 the circuit will be broken, and at the same time the detent yields and is disengaged from the circuitcloser and is forced back to its normal position, whereby the circuit-closer will ride on the same when dropped, and is thus held up out of contact with the contact-piece Z to maintain the circuit open, as shown in Fig. 9. As the oat continues to move the disk is turned farther, whereby the contact-piece is again brought with its inclined edge against the circuit-closer and a second alarm thereby sounded. The circuitcloser rides on said inclined edge and then on the top edge of the contact-piece. Thus the alarm continues to sound, the float at this time being near the bottom or top of the water-column. It will be understood that when tho float has reached the end of its travel the circuit-closer will still rest upon the top edge of the contact-piece, and to stop the alarm from sounding and maintain the circuit broken it is necessary to operate the switch 3. (Shown in Fig. l.) Water is then pumped into the boiler or drawn ott, as may be required, in the usual and well-known manner, whereby the fioat is moved to its normal position--zl e.,'midway between the ends of the water-column-as shown in Fig. 2. Thus the disk or terminaljis turned back to allow the arm g' to drop, and the circuit-closer will again be disposed between the contact-pieces Z Z, at'ter which the switch 3 is to be closed. It will be seen that it is not necessary to operate the switch 3 in order to move the disk back to its normal position, as this can be done while the alarm is sounding. In case the arm g is not lifted by reason of the person in charge failing to hear the alarm the circuit-closer j will carry the free end of the detent n with it and will ride continually on the contact-piece l and the alarm will sound until the switch 3 is operated or the disk is turned in the manner hereinbefore described. The spring 02 allows the detent to yield sufiiciently to permit the circuit-closer to ride on the top edge of the contact-piece and forces the same back to its normal position.

lVhat I claim as my invention is 1. A high and low water alarm comprising a normally open electric circuit including a signal, a circuit-closer operating automatically to sound an alarm, means to operate said circuit-'closer by hand to break the circuit, and a detent adapted to temporarily maintain the circuit-closer in its circuit-breaking position whereby the same shall again operate automatically to sound a second alarm substantially as described.

2. A high and low water alarm comprising a normally open electric circuit including a signal, a yielding circuit-closer operating automatically to sound an alarm, means to operate said circuit-closer by hand to break the circuit, and a yielding detent adapted to temporarily maintain the circuit-closer in its circuitbreaking position whereby the same shall again automatically operate to sound a second alarm substantially as described.

3. In a high and low water alarm, the combination witha water-column and a float therein, of a normally open electric circuit including a signal, one terminal of the circuit actuated by the float, a circuit-closer on the other terminal, means to operate the circuit-closer by hand to break the circuit, and a detent temporarily maintaining the circuit-closer in its circuit -breaking position whereby two alarms shall be sounded substantially as described. v

4. In a high and low water alarm, the combination with a water-column and a float therein, of a normally open electric circuit including a signal, an oscillatory electric terminal actuated by said float, a pair of contact-pieces carried on said terminal, a yielding electric terminal, a circuit-closer on the latter termi- :nal and disposed between said contact-pieces, and detents adapted to engage said circuit- 4closer for the purpose set forth.

5. In a high andlow water alarm, the combination with a water-column and a oat therein, of a normally open electric circuit including a signal, an oscillatory electric terminal actuated by said float and provided with a pair of contact-pieces, a yielding electric terminal, a circuit-closer on the latter terminal and disposed between said contactpieces, and ayieldingdetent secured to each contactpiece and adapted to engage the circuit-closer for the purpose set forth.

6. In a high and low wateralarm, the combination with a water-column and a float therein, of a normally open electric circuit including a signal, an oscillatory upright disk actuated by said iioat and constituting one of the electric terminals and provided with a pair of contact-pieces, and a vertically-yielding electric terminal formed with a circuit-closer disposed between said contact-pieces subst-antially as described.

7. In a high and low water alarm, the combination with a Water-column and a fioat therein, of a normally open electric circuit including a signal, an oscillatory upright disk actuated by said fioat and constituting one of the electric terminals and provided with a pair of contact-pieces, a vertically-yielding electric terminal formed with a circuit-closer disposed between said con tact-pieces, and yielding insulating-detents pivoted to said contactpieces and adapted to engage said circuit-- closer for the purpose set forth.

8. In a high and low water alarm, the combination with a water-column and a iioat therein, of a normally open electric circuit including a signal, -an oscillatory disk constituting one of the electric terminals and actuated by said iioat, a pair of contact-pieces secured to said disk, a vertically-movable arm constituting the other electric terminal and formed with a circuit-closer disposed between said IOO IIO

contact-pieces, a yielding insulating-detent carried on each of said contact-pieces and adapted to engage the circuit-closer to hold the same teinporarilyaway from the contactpieces, springs allowing said detents to yield and forcing the saine to their normal positions, and stops limiting the movements of said detents substantially as described.

9. in a high and low water alarm,the combination with a water-column and a float therein, of a normally open electric circuit including a signal, an oscillatory disk actuated by said float and constituting one of the electric terminals, a pair of contact-pieces secured to said disk and adjustable toward and from each other, a vertically-movable electric terminal, a circuit-closer on the latter terminal and disposed between said contact-pieces, and adjustable toward and from the aforesaid disk substantially as described.

l0. In a high and low water alarm, the combination with a watercolumn and a float therein, of a normally open electric circuit including a signal, an oscillatory disk actuated by the float and constituting one of the electric terminals, a pair of contact-pieces secured to said disk, a pivoted arm constituting the other electric terminal, a circuitcloser formed on said arm and disposed between said contact-pieces, and a detent secured movably on each contact-piece and adapted to engage the circuit-closer for the purpose set forth.

ll. ln a high and low water alarm, the combination with a water-column and a iioat therein, 0f an arm formed on and extending from the side of said water-column, a normally open electric circuit including a signal, an oscillatory disk pivoted to said arm `and constituting one of the terminals of the circuit, mechanism imparting movement from theiioat to said disk, a pair of contact-pieces secured to said disk, a plate rigidly secured to said arm, and an arm pivoted to said plate and constituting the other electric terminal and formed with a circuit-closer disposed between said contact-pieces substantially as described.

12. A high and low water alarm comprising a normally open electric circuit including a signal, a suitably-pivoted upright disk constituting one of the terminals of the `circuit and provided on its upper portion with two contact-pieces, a vertically-movable pivoted arm constituting the other electric terminal, 4a screw by which to adjust said arm vertically, and a coiled spring allowing said arm to yield forth'e purpose set forth.

13.' The combination with a water-column and a float therein, of a normally open electric circuit including a signal, an oscillatory disk constituting one of the electric terminals and provided with a pair of contact-pieces, the other electric terminal disposed between said contact-pieces, gearing actuating said eraf-J2e disk, and an extensible' connection between said float and gears substantially as described.

14. Thel` combination with a water-column and a float therein, of a normally open `electric circuit including a signal, a rock-shaft, a disk secured to said shaft and constituting one of the terminals of the circuit, mechanism transmitting'motion from the lloat to said shaft, a pair of contact-pieces secured to said disk, and a circuit-closer disposed between said contact-pieces and connected to the other electric terminal substantially as described.

l5. The combination with a water-column and a iioat therein, of a hollow arm extending from and communicating with the side of the water-column, a normally open electric circuit including a signal, a pair of rockshafts journaled in the outer end of said hollow arm, a disk secured to one of said shafts outside of the hollow arm and constituting one of the electric terminals, a pair of contact-pieces secured to said disk, `meshing gears secured to said rock-shafts within the hollow arm, an extensible connection between said gearing and the aforesaid float also within the hollow arm, a vertically-yielding arm pivoted on top of the hollow arm and constituting the other electric terminal and formed with a circuit-closer disposed between said contactpieces, and insulating-detente pivoted to said contact-pieces for the purpose set forth.

16. The combination with a water-column and a iioat therein, of a normally open electric `circuit including a signal, a hollow arm extending from and communicating with one side of said water-column, a pair of `transverse rock-shafts journaled on the outer end of said arm, a disk secured to one of `said shafts and constituting one of the terminals of the circuit, and provided with a pair of contact-pieces, meshing gears secured to said rock-shafts, a sleeve pivoted at one end to the aforesaid float, a sliding rod in said sleeve rigidly secured at its outer end to one of said gears, a guide-rod for said float, a yielding terminal supported 0n the hollow arm and formed with a circuit-closer disposed between said contact-pieces, and yielding detents pivoted to said contact-pieces adapted to engage said circuit-closer for the purpose set forth.

17. The combination with a water-column and a float therein, of a normally open electric circuit including a signal, an oscillatory electric terminal provided with a pair of contactpieces, gearing actuating said terminal, an automatically-extensible connection between said gearing and the float, and the other electric terminalhavingacircuit-closer connected thereto and disposed between said contactpieces substantially as described.

CHARLES E. ZIMMERMANN.

Vitnesses:

J. J. LAAss, H. B. SMITH. 

